Planter Clinic 2014

Back by popular demand, our family-dba Progressive Crop Sytems, hosted our second annual Planter Clinic at the Best Western in Burley.  We had to excuse our help from school, but they didn't seem to mind.  Everyone had their jobs.  

They had to help assemble folders the night before and pass them out to get the meeting room ready.  Before things got underway, each table had pens, folders and a bowl of tootsie rolls.  

Dalanie enjoyed refilling the waters.

Hudson stayed in the meeting most of the day.  During any break, you could be sure he would be back by the test stand helping out.

We had a larger room this year which made things nicer.  Over 115 people came.

We decided to pass out peanuts at the morning break.  Partly to give the guys a snack and partly to keep the kids busy.

Grandpa came out to eat lunch with us.  It's hard to believe a year ago, Delsie was only four weeks old.

If Delsie disappeared you could be sure she was under the table with the bag of tootsie rolls.

Hudson loves the personal interaction and is quite a natural.

Todd and Jamie joined us for assistance.

Calves and Cousins

We had beautiful weather for a majority of the calving this year.  As a matter of fact, we made it a point to get out in the nice weather and go for walks to see the calves.

Gracie and Lincoln came for a visit during this nice spell and we took them along on our walks.  Of course, everything is more fun with Lincoln around.

Ruby was on a yoga kick and did one or two movies a day.  Namaste.

We had a picnic on the floor, complete with our picnic basket and dishes.  I let them use it if they washed the dishes.  It was a win-win for them.

And for a few days, Delsie had a twin.  As long as they were both strapped in their high chairs, life was good.

Dads are the best

There's just something special about the time Dad's get to spend with their kids.  I find myself watching out the window and marveling at the way Brent interacts with our children.  It's so different from the way I do it, and yet, it's completely what their little souls need.

First Birthday

Birthdays make my kids so excited!!  Ruby and Dalanie braved the cold winter morning to run down to HardTimes for cinnamon rolls.  Turns out, Delsie likes the waxy candle as much as the frosting.

Ruby decorated this special birthday hat, just for Delsie.

We celebrated in style at Pizza Pie Cafe before heading to Blast Off.  I nearly vetoed the idea for fear of all the germs running around that place, but turns out, we didn't contract anything awful even after taste-testing many of the balls in the ball pit.

We have crossed over that messy road now that Delsie is an independent feeder.  This transition warrants baths after nearly every meal.  And when it's not on the floor or her clothes, she will make sure to stretch her arms above her head and smear it all over.

This Delsie McGee is the love of our lives.  She is such a fun and loving girl.  Her brother and sisters are at her every beck and call.  So much so that we wonder if she will ever walk on her own.  She loves that bathtub, reading books, sitting on Dad's lap, and talking up a storm.

And don't forget presents.  The kids could hardly wait.

Over the Break Bucket List

At the beginning of Christmas break, I had each child come up with two things they really wanted to have happen during the break.  In no particular order: ice skating, playing in the snow, going to see frozen, swimming, sewing, and flying quadcopters.  We were pretty successful.  We had to make an effort to find snow since all of ours had melted by the time Christmas rolled around.

The Hillmans all got together when Westerns came up.

The kids thought ice skating was fun (not sure why.)  Actually, I think going with cousins must have had something to do with it.  They fell so many times and I had a sore back from trying to coach them along.  Brent willingly volunteered to keep Delsie.  On the way home, they exclaimed they couldn't wait to go again.

We ran over to Burley for New Years to take the older two up to Pomerelle.  Mom watched the younger girls, so it worked out well.  I enjoyed skiing much more than the skating.  The kids and I all took lessons.  I couldn't believe what a difference they made.  Our goal was to get the kids on the lift by the end of the day.  Well, before lunch they were coming down the mountain.  There wasn't much snow, but it was a beautiful sunny day.  I would definitely like to do more skiing with the family.

It was back to school on January 2nd (a Thursday.)  They had to go on Friday- Merry Christmas.  But then we extended out break by jetting down to Cache Valley.

Bentley got baptized, so in addition to the gathering for that, the kids took advantage of the icy snow in the shade at the cemetery to do some sledding.  I even enjoyed a fun runs down the hill.  It always amazes me how something as simple as snow and a hill can provide so many hours of entertainment.